The Vermont senator called Donald Trump "the most dangerous president in US modern history" at his speech in Brooklyn.
Bernie Sanders has launched his 2020 presidential campaign by calling on Americans to join his fight for a "political revolution".
The Vermont senator called Donald Trump "the most dangerous president in US modern history" at his speech at Brooklyn College in New York.
He added that Mr Trump wants to "divide us up".
Mr Sanders, who lost the race for the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016, said he wants to create an economy and government that works for all people.
He added that his government would focus on economic, social, racial and environmental justice.
Mr Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, made his speech miles from the rent-controlled apartment where he grew up in Brooklyn.
He said: "My experience as a child, living in a family that struggled economically, powerfully influenced my life and my values.
"I know where I came from.
"And that is something I will never forget."
The Democrats in the 2020 race have taken varied approaches to the incumbent Mr Trump.
Some have avoided saying his name entirely, while others made implicit critiques of his presidency.
Mr Sanders positioned himself in opposition to Trump administration policies from immigration to climate change.
The Democrat hopeful, who grew up in a middle-class family in Flatbush, presented himself as being in stark contrast to the billionaire who occupies the White House.
Mr Sanders said: "I did not have a father who gave me millions of dollars to build luxury skyscrapers, casinos and country clubs."
He added that his allowance as a child was 25 cents a week.
In reference to Mr Trump's former role on The Apprentice, Mr Sanders also said he "did not come from a family of privilege that prepared me to entertain people on television by telling workers, 'You're fired'.
"I came from a family who knew all too well the frightening power employers can have over every day workers."
More than 200 miles away in suburban Washington, Mr Trump was revelling in his 2016 success and said Republicans "need to verify it in 2020 with an even bigger victory".
The US president didn't mention Mr Sanders explicitly in a two-hour speech, but railed against the policies of "socialism" in a continued attempt to portray Democrats as out of touch with ordinary Americans.
Mr Trump said: "Socialism is not about the environment, it is not about justice, it is not about virtue. It is only about one thing - it is called power for the ruling class.
"We know the future does not belong to those who believe in socialism."
Mr Sanders has entered the race at a moment that bears little resemblance to when he waged his long-shot bid in 2016.
Democrats have been mobilised by the election of Mr Trump and are seeking a standard-bearer who can oust him from office.
Many of Mr Sanders' populist ideas have been embraced by the mainstream of the Democratic party.
The field of Democrats that he joins includes a number of liberal candidates, most notably Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who share similar sensibilities.
Mr Sanders' rally was his first campaign event since announcing a week ago that he would run for the White House.
A line of supporters snaked down the snowy streets of Brooklyn's East Quad hours before his speech.
A reggae band played before he spoke and he was introduced by a number of supporters including Nina Turner, the former Ohio state senator who is a co-chair of Mr Sanders' campaign this year.
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